Jewellery designer
Jewellery designers design and often make jewellery using a variety of materials, including gold, silver and precious stones. They design and plan pieces that can have great sentimental significance or symbolic meaning, can be wearable or are decorative artefacts in their own right. They must be able to relate well to their clients in order to understand design specifications, as well as master the creative and practical skills needed to make a product.
Designers can produce designs for mass production or can make small numbers of objects or individual pieces commissioned by a client. Some jewellery designers focus more on design, using specialist companies to provide the different stages of the making process.
The majority of jewellery designers are self-employed so also require commercial awareness and business skills.
For a self-employed jewellery designer, design activities include:
Making activities include:
The following specialist processes may be performed by jewellery designers but often pieces of work are sent on to companies for these processes to be completed:
Promoting and developing the business is crucial for success as a self-employed jewellery designer. Many designers try to boost their reputation by networking, entering competitions and attending craft fairs. Other activities include consulting with galleries, store buyers and suppliers, and researching jewellery and fashion trends.
When working for a company, a distinction is made between the design and the production. The jewellery designer produces designs that are then made by other members of staff.
The most relevant degree and HND/foundation degree subjects include:
Any art and design degree/HND/foundation degree with a craft or making element may give you an advantage, in particular, fashion design, textile design, fine art or applied arts. It may be possible to enter this type of work with other art and design degrees if you have a suitable portfolio and are prepared to learn the relevant craft-based skills.
A degree or HND is not essential for entry - proven craft skills are more important than subject of study - but those without a higher education qualification would usually need to undertake an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.
A postgraduate qualification is not necessary for entry into this profession, although it may be useful for making the transition from other areas of art and design.
Work experience, either paid or unpaid, is valuable and helps build up a network of industry contacts as well as providing experience of working in the jewellery industry.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
It is important to be flexible and proactive in your job-seeking approach in order to become established. Some graduates/diplomates are offered work following degree shows, but for many it is vital to network and take advantage of any opportunities that arise. A portfolio, PowerPoint slides or images of your work on a CD are useful evidence that you have the necessary design skills and ideas.
Joining a professional body, such as the British Jewellers' Association (BJA) , the National Association of Goldsmiths or The Association for Contemporary Jewellery , is a good way to meet and make contact with established designers.
Vacancies are rarely advertised and speculative applications can be effective. Knowledge of where to look for jobs, how to promote yourself and a willingness to network and take advantage of opportunities are crucial. Start by thinking of contacts made through your course, particularly during any work experience placements. Use design directories, such as Who's Who in Gold and Silver - The Goldsmith's Company Directory and the Retail Jeweller Buyer's Guide, to identify contacts to approach with speculative CVs or a personal call. You can also post your jobseeker details on the Benchpeg website.
In the short term, designers sometimes take stop-gap jobs before getting the kind of work that is relevant to their particular skill and qualifications. Working part time and keeping the longer-term aim in view, as well as the steps you need to reach it, may be a necessary compromise.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Many jewellery designers continue training throughout their career in order to develop their skills and keep up to date with new methods and changes in the industry.
Further study offers the opportunity to experiment, diversify or produce better work within a specialism. Courses are offered at postgraduate level in silversmithing, goldsmithing, metal work and jewellery.
Shorter, skills-based courses, offered by colleges or commercial organisations, are also useful and can be a quicker and cheaper way to add to your expertise. Details of courses can be obtained from organisations such as:
Specialist courses are available in areas such as setting, engraving, enamelling and gemstone cutting and carving. Research courses thoroughly to ensure they meet your requirements.
If you are employed by a company, they may provide in-house training. This usually involves being taught and supervised by a more experienced craftsperson.
Business skills are also important for those thinking of self-employment. The Goldsmiths' Company offers a free week-long 'Getting Started' introduction to business course for recent graduates of precious metal courses.
It is also useful to attend trade fairs and exhibitions in order to build up a network of contacts and to find out about new methods and ideas.
Getting your work known is vital for career development and the success of your business. A good way to do this is to enter articles into craft and trade magazines, for example Craft & Design Magazine . Entering competitions, at local, national and international levels, is another excellent way of promoting your work. You can also showcase your work alongside other jewellery designers on a number of dedicated websites, such as Who's Who in Gold and Silver - The Goldsmith's Company Directory .
For self-employed designers, it is vital to have skills in marketing and commercial acumen, as well as design skills and a clear vision for your designs, in order to drive your business forward. Establishing a reputation and having a clear identity within the market will influence your degree of success.
A willingness to undertake more training and specialise in and make products for particular markets is important. Postgraduate courses or other specialist short courses may be useful.
Joining a professional body, such as the British Jewellers' Association (BJA) or the National Association of Goldsmiths , can also help your professional development and is a good way to meet and make contact with established designers.
Attending trade fairs and exhibitions can be important to develop your career. Planning ahead for such events is essential. Gaining recognition can be a long process, but rewards can be great if you are willing to grow your business, keep learning and stay in tune with trends in order to produce desirable and original jewellery.
The four crafts councils can help to identify awards and competitions, commissions, exhibitions, workshops and studio spaces:
They also have directories of craftmakers.
Other opportunities for jewellery design graduates are in fashion design, fashion forecasting, retail selling or buying. It is also possible to work for galleries or, with further training, teach in further or higher education. Opportunities in silversmithing may be possible if you are prepared to learn additional skills.
Most jewellery designers are either self-employed, establishing their own workshop or studio, or freelance, working with individual makers or fashion/jewellery designers. They build up their own business through getting themselves and their work known. They can sell their designs to manufacturing companies or design and make their own jewellery for sale through craft shops and galleries. Self-employed jewellery designers can also work on individual commissions.
It is also possible to gain employment in larger design companies. Typical employers include factories and workshops that manufacture jewellery. Companies are often small to medium-sized businesses employing up to 20 people. An index of jewellery designers, silversmiths and makers, and an index of galleries and retailers, are available from Who's Who in Gold and Silver - The Goldsmith's Company Directory .
Vacancies are rarely advertised and speculative applications can be effective. The following directories are useful for identifying contacts:
The following organisations can also be useful for identifying contacts:
Recruitment agencies rarely handle vacancies.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
Tweet